Memorial Day

Well it is Memorial Day today, but it isn't like it used to be. Usually this day meant a day off of school, but school is over now, so it doesn't really seem like a day off. It is important to remember those who did/do serve our country, so that is what we do.

This week has been a long and very full week. This week was meetings for Chad at school. I attended the Tuesday meetings, because they were for the Athletic Department. We talked about all the issues and items that have come up in the past year and how to resolve them. Not too much got resolved, but a lot of concerns were aired. Wednesday was out shower at Diane's. It was a good time. There were about 35 people there and it wasn't a girly shower (meaning there were no games or prizes to be won). We just got to hang out with the staff and get together. We ended up staying until about 11. We were the last ones to leave, but we were just talking with Diane and so it didn't even seem like it was 11pm. Then Thursday was a doctors appointment. He told me that I have begun to dialate and so the process is starting and we made an appointment for this week, but we are hoping to not have to get to it. I'm sure that I will, because it seems like this kid is never going to come. The weekend brought another movie night on Friday. We went and saw Madacascar. It was cute. It wasn't the best we've seen, so we recommend to wait until it comes out on video. The nice this is that the cinema in Tomball runs first rate movies, but it is always only $3.50 to see them, so it isn't like we are spending the $8 a person for the movies. Then Saturday was suppose to be a graduation party, but I fell asleep and Chad didn't want to wake me up, so we didn't go, but it was still quite hot out, so I don't know how long we would have lasted anyways. Sunday was church and I actually got Chad to go to early church, so we were home a whole lot earlier than normal. We also got to watch the Brewers all weekend on TV, instead of the computer, since they were playing the Astros. Today we went to Kim and Andrew's new house to grill out and hang out. It is a very nice house, it is one of the only one's done in the new subdivision and so it is a little weird having half done houses around them. It is nice and makes Chad want to move into a house tomorrow.

Chad has baseball camp this week during the evenings and then it is just playing the waiting for the baby game. This week for me is just grin and bear it for a little bit longer. It still is hot, so not too much activity outside. Just keeping up with the laundry and cleaning and grocery shopping. That way Chad won't have to take on too much in the next couple of weeks.

Here is an interesting fact for some of you, who think we live in a small town. This just proves the point. Next Saturday, June 11th, there is a Ku Klux Klan meeting being held at the community center. It isn't a rally, because they are not here to recruit members, but it is more of a informational meeting and exhibit all about what they are about. There is going to be some major protesting and so we are hoping not to have to go out of the house that day. It says that the city is not promoting it, but they have the right to free speech. There was a big article in the paper last week. They keep saying that is just for information and they are not trying to rectruit members, they won't even be handing out applications, but you can only attend if you are caucasian. It is pretty freaky to think that that is going to be going on.

Well with that in mind, we are hoping to be at the hospital or home from the hospital when all of that is happening. We are just getting anxious for the baby to get here and are hoping that everything goes well. We can't wait to tell you about it and post some pictures on here.

Another Year Done

Well school is over for Chad. He had finals this week and now just has graduation tomorrow afternoon. He does have meetings next week, but all you teachers know how those go. He did manage to get his finals written. I did tell him I would help type them if he gave me enough time, so he stayed up too late on Tuesday finishing the Junior class final, so I could type it the next day. He then wrote the Senior final on Wednesday at school. We even went up to school in the evening and got all his copying done and keys (scantron test) done, so all he would have to do is go to school on Thursday for his final. He got his finals done and seemed pretty happy. Thursday night he went to the Astros game. The Diamondback pitcher was a friend of the student teacher/assistant baseball coach from high school. So they went with him and some of his friends. He said he had a good time, but felt a little old, since most of the people in the group with them were still in college or just graduating. (Phil went with him, so at least he had someone to talk to) Friday he still had to be at school even though there weren't any finals, it is kind of like a make-up day, but he did manage to get his grades done and even before they were due. So to end the year, we went out for dinner and then to a movie. No we did not go see Star Wars. I haven't seen the first two, so I told Chad he will have to find someone to go to the movie with. It seemed we weren't the only ones who had the idea to go out last night, while driving through the parking lot looking for a spot to park, the car coming toward us was the Keiper's. They were going to see Star Wars and I told Chad he should just go with them. We went to see Guess Who with Ashton Kutcher and Bernie Mac, it was pretty funny. The only problem was that it must have been middle-school night at the movies, because there were about 30 middle-schoolers in the movie and I don't think one of them sat for the entire show or could keep their mouths shut through the entire show.

This week was not much going on, just trying to get through the last week of school. Monday was the Faculty get together at the Greene's we went for about 2 hours and ate some dinner and just hung out. Tuesday we met the pediatrician and then had to get back to school for physicals. I never have heard of doing it this way, but the athletes get their physicals done at school with coaches and then doctors. I was taking height and weight, while Chad did blood pressure and pulse. It actually is a good idea, but just a little odd. Then on Tuesday night, we went to the hospital to tour the maternity ward. It was nice to know where to go and proceedures. There was actually no one in the labor ward, but about 5 in the post pardum(sp.) wing. There were just a couple babies in the nursery. Not too much else going on here. We have a couple graduation parties we were invited to today, but it is suppose to be in the middle 90's, so I don't know how long I'll last at them. Next Wednesday we were having a get together/shower at Diane's house with the staff. Christa and Diane and throwing it for us. Then it is just get through the next three weeks.

Hope that the end of the year for many of you teachers is going okay and that you will make it until the end. Just a few couple more weeks left.

Finals Week

Well it is the last week of school for Chad and let's just say that he is pretty excited. This week are finals. There is a half day today, which basically is a review day for all classes and then the next 4 days are finals. In Chad fashion, he hasn't written his final yet, but I know that it will get done in time like he always does. Next week he will have meetings, but those are usually only for half days and not usually until the afternoons. He will have graduation this weekend on Sunday and there have been a few parties that we have been invited too, so we will see where those take us.

This weekend, mom and dad came down and we enjoyed the warm weather and just hanging out. They got here on Thursday afternoon. After Chad and I walked almost the entire Bush Intercontinenal Airport looking for them, we did finally find them. Friday Chad had school, so dad took him there and then went for his morning coffee. Mom, dad, and I ventured out to Garden Ridge (a home store-mom's idea) and then ate lunch. After school, Chad and dad got in a round of golf and I helped mom put her digital pictures onto her laptop. Saturday we went to breakfast and then a little bit of running around, but mom did manage to get in some sun. We weren't sure what we were going to do, but then we ended up at the Astros game, since Clemens was pitching. It was pretty packed and hot, especially since we were sitting up pretty high, but at least it was on an aisle. Sunday was church and listening to the Brewer's game. During church Chad got the idea of how to listen to the Brewer's game downstairs when the computer is upstairs, use the baby monitor. That is what he did and it actually worked pretty good. We dropped our guests off at the airport around 4pm and headed home to do some grocery shopping. Chad isn't sure if mom is going to make it through the next month until she comes back, but we figure it will be all good. She's got things to keep her busy.

No doctor's appointments this week, but we are meeting with the pediatrician and going on the hospital tour of the birthing center. We have just 4 weeks to go and have a feeling that they may be some of the longest four weeks there are. We are already looking forward to our visitors in June.

The days are getting hotter here, so any visitors be ready for the heat. We have 4 steps to our humidity, from top to bottom: Super, Stuffy, Sticky, and Stiffling. Last week is was just stuffy, but this week it is suppose to raise up to Sticky. The air was turned on last week Tuesday and I'm sure it won't be turned off until the fall.

We are looking forward to the summer, I think Chad will just be happy that he doesn't have to go to school everyday. I'm sure that he will be up there his fair share of the time, but at least it won't be everyday all day. It is also nice to not have to move this summer. A first in three years.

One Week Down...

Well it has been a whole week since I have been at work and I am still wondering where the better part of the week went. I know that Chad was worried that I was going to be bored, or have nothing to do, but I don't think that will be a problem. Monday was spent doing laundry and cleaning up a bit, but as Chad thinks, it really isn't cleaning, because this place is clean enough for his standard. Let's just say that I tackled the bathroom good. Tuesday was Athletic Period, which I only had two girls for, so you can imagine how much fun that was. It isn't that it is just 2 girls, they are the two girls who are the quietest on both teams. Wednesday brought a day of Isaac and athletic period. Isaac and I hung out for a bit, we ran a couple errands and then he got to hang out with the office ladies while I went to athletic period. In which I was informed that that was the last one I would need to be at, since next week they are testing. Thursday brought another day of Isaac, this time I met at Keiper's house and Isaac seemed to be in a better mood, since he got to sleep until his normal time. Jen dropped Shelby off for an hour while she had a doctor's appointment. Shelby wasn't too keen on the idea of having Isaac there. They played, well Shelby played and Isaac watched her. Then that brings us to today, Friday and the week is over.

This weekend I think is bringing rest for Chad, he had another game in Waco last night, got home about 12:15am. They lost, so no baseball next week when mom and dad are here. As he left this morning I asked him what time he would be home and he said 3:05, I think that those late nights of games and practice were really getting to him.

Next week will bring two days of Issac, a doctor's appointment, and mom and dad coming. Then the following week is finals, and school is over. Chad will have meetings the week of the 23rd-27th, but those aren't as bad as having class. Then June 1st-4th he is having the baseball camp for the grade school kids in the evenings. I told him that the baby better not come that week, but he figured that it would be okay. This coming Tuesday will be just 5 more weeks. Mom said it would be okay to be just 3 more weeks. I would be okay with that too. The heat hasn't been too bad, but I know that it is just going to keep getting hotter and hotter. We still haven't turned on the air, because at night it is getting down to about 65 and with the windows open and the fan going, it is actually very comfortable. I promise Joel, that when you are here, we will have the air on, I don't want you getting heatstroke or anything. Other than just doing a lot of waiting for school, for baby, for visitors everything here is good.

I don't want to jinx it, but we love the fact that the Brewers are in 2nd place. All I care is that they are above the Astros. We have been watching the games a lot and doing a lot of yelling, but then it seems to always turn out alright. I was just happy that we swept the Cubs. The Tigers are struggling, but we still watch them too. I guess we are just suckers for "bad" teams or maybe it is just that we are real fans.

Last Day of Work

Well today was the last day of work for me. It was a relief, but at the same time, it is weird to think about not having to go. Fridays are always an easy day anyways, with usually only 3 kids there, but today was extra easy, because there were only two. One of the boys in on vacation in Oregon. Well now it is try to get as much rest as possible before the baby comes, because we all know there won't be much gotten after.

Other news; Chad left this morning at 5:50am to drive to Austin for a meeting at Concordia for his intern that is coming in June. He had to attend a meeting to tell all the details and things like how to evaluate the intern and what their duties are. Then that was to be over at about 3, then it was a 90 mile drive to Waco for baseball. The first play-off game is tonight. It is win or go home, so we will see if they play next week or not. So that means he will be getting home about midnight tonight. So I have a feeling that tomorrow will be a sleeping in day.

Mom and dad are getting ready to come down here. Mom is ready, because it is hot here and the sun is out, so she can get a tan. The pool has been filled with kids all week. Today was the hottest yet. It was a hot 90 degrees. There is suppose to be a cool front coming in tonight and it should only be about 79 tomorrow. I love when the weathermen use the term cool/cold front.

Then we will be having visitors on June 25-27. Amy, Joel, Ben, and mom are coming for a quick weekend visit. I have already warned Joel that it is going to be hot, so he will just have to grin and bear it. The Astros are in town that weekend against the Rangers, so Joel and Chad can head out to that sometime.

Concordia has called a vice-principal and he accepted, so that is a load off Paul's shoulders, because now he can focus on being athletic director. We are still waiting to see what happens with basketball, we still need a varsity coach. There is also a call out for Executive Director and they were here this week visiting from Indiana. They have a daughter who would be a sophomore and so she was shadowing yesterday and was in athletic period with me.

One of the moms from work, whose sister teaches with Chad and CLHS, and I were talking for a bit on Wednesday morning and got to figure that she might have had Jana in class while she was student teaching at Martin Luther in the fall of 1990. She was student teaching with Mr. Riegles and had sophomore English. It was kind of weird how we figured it out, but there is that small Lutheran world again.

Well not too much else, just going to be hanging out this weekend. It is Confirmation here, so on Sunday we will head over to the Wilke's since Michael is being confirmed. Other than that, just looking forward to the month of May going quickly, I know that Chad is too. I do get to babysit Isaac a couple of times each week for the next two weeks and Christa is filling in as a sub at CLHS. Well I hope that everything is going well. We will talk to you soon.

A Random Day Off of School

Well that is what today is, a random day off of school. Well for Chad it is because this past weekend was Prom and so I think that they have learned to just take the day off, instead of having kids just not show up to school. I have off too, but that is because I believe today is a Staff Development day, but since I don't have to go to those, it is just a day off. It makes a nice break for Chad, because now it is like, okay just 4 weeks of classes and then finals. It is kind of like a little go get em' kind of day. It should gear you up for the rest of the year. The past weeks have gone by quickly, but not too much exciting has gone on. We have had the usual of baseball, doctor appointments, babysitting Isaac, and relaxing.

Baseball's regular season is done this week and then the playoffs begin next weekend. They are suppose to play on Saturday for the first playoff game, but they are trying to get it moved to Friday. They then will play until they lose. Baseball has been interesting and a learning experience for both Chad and I. It was kind of like football season. They take this very seriously and if anyone messes with it, they are in for big trouble.

Doctor appointments are now coming every two weeks, instead of four. It is almost more of a hassle, because now it is a 5 minute appointment every two weeks. Everything is good, we are getting closer and have just 8 weeks to go. I keep saying that it would be nice to only have 6 or 7 weeks to go.

This weekend we spent a lot of time not at home, which is a little unusual. Friday Chad went golfing in the afternoon, well 4pm and then when he got home, we went over to the Wilke's house for dinner. We hung out there until about 11:00 and then headed home. Saturday brought a little cleaning and then some errand running. We have been looking for a bassinet, but then realized that it would be easier to just get one of the pack n' plays with the bassinets in them, it will be more convienent and cheaper. Then we watched the Brewers lose and the Tigers lose. We then headed over to the Keiper's house for some bbq. We ended up staying there until about 11:30, I don't think Paul wanted us to leave until him and Chad had finished all the beer. Sunday was church and then Pete and the Schlicker's came over for dinner. We just grilled hamburgers. We got to play some cards, while Shelby watched Finding Nemo 3 times. Today is going to be laundry and grocery shopping. Chad has practice this afternoon.

I think that this is the longest since the baseball season starts that I haven't been at a baseball game, but the Brewers are in town on Wednesday and Thursday and so we are planning on going to the game on Wednesday night. We have been watching them, but the last few games there hasn't been anything to watch. Chad has also been watching his Tigers faithfully.

Work is going well, it has to when you only have 5 more days of it. I am looking forward to not having to chase the kids around, but I am and I know that Chad is hoping I just don't get to bored. I figure I won't, because I will still have Athletic Period twice a week and baseball might still be going on.

Well hope that everyone is enjoying spring weather, it has looked like it has been nice up north. Here it is usually about 80 degress during the day and then about 60 at night. Haven't had to turn the air on yet, but I have a feeling some May it might be needed. Well, Ben Janetzke, happy birthday this week, we have card sitting on the counter, but am waiting for your address from your parents, so it will get there sometime this week. Ben Chapman, there is a package being mailed to you this week, I am going to the post office today with it. Hope you all have a great week.

It's Been Awhile

I'm surprised that I haven't gotten a call from my brother-in-law telling me that I need to update my blog. He is usually good for that. Maybe he is trying to be a little bit nicer. Well it has been awhile and it is no excuse for not writing. I last wrote during spring break right when we got home from San Antonio. Our company arrived on Friday evening, just in time to see the end of the Michigan State game. Saturday was a nice day to just sleep in for a little bit and then we went to school to take the grand tour. This visit was more about relaxing and actually visiting than going and doing things. Sunday was Easter, we went to 8am service, we just didn't think we would make it to sunrise. Plus we didn't want to take the chance of the same thing happening that happened last year at Trinity. We drove around downtown after church and saw the sights of Houston. We were planning on going out to dinner, but instead decided to order in pizza and watch basketball.
Monday took Chad, his dad, and Kurt to the golf course. They ended up playing 18 holes. Then it was off to practice for Chad. We took his dad, Kendra, and Kurt over a little later to watch the end of practice and then to play out on the field. His mom and I went on a furniture hunt for a glider. It was our wedding present. We found one at USA Baby and the boys put it together that night. They then went on the nightly run to Wal-Mart and got our crib set. Chad's dad spent most of Tuesday morning/early afternoon putting it together. He got it all together and I spent the rest of the week putting the room together. We went to Chad's baseball game down at North and they left for Dallas from there.
The rest of the week was "normal" as usual. Work and games and babysitting for me. I had a doctor's appointment on Thursday and then I had Isaac for just a couple of hours after school. Since it was for a short time, he came over here and played with a lot of the toys that we have gotten. He even caught a short nap in the crib. The weekend brought a game on Friday for Chad, but it was just one, so he was actually home before 8pm. Saturday was some errand running and watching the final four. Let's just say that Chad was pretty upset after the State loss. While I was running errands at Wal-Mart, the power went out in the store, but I found it odd that the check-outs still were up and running. Sunday was church and correcting papers for Chad. We then went to the Wilke's for dinner and to watch the baseball game. We also watched the Brewers game live on Saturday on the computer. Today it was back to work and another week. Chad has just 5 weeks of classes and then a week of finals left. I am going to be done working at the end of April and so I have just a few more weeks.
We are having visitors in May and then the summer will be here and our lives will be turned upside down. Hope that spring has gotten to you in the north. We are enjoying the warm here, but not looking forward to the hot hot summer.

Ben (wienerhead) with Kate's hat on 

Snow, a baby shower, a wienerhead, and San Antonio

Well it has been a while since the last time I had written. Well actually it hasn't been that long, but we have just done a lot in that week's time. We flew home on Saturday morning and got to Milwaukee at about 2:00 in the 30 degree weather after leaving from Houston and it being 75. We got a chance to relax for a bit and then I headed out to the mall with Jana and Amy. Chad and Joel went down to Miller Park to get something to eat. Elsa and Jill met us at my parent's house and then it was off to Kendra's play at Trinity for Youth. We headed home and the day was done. So there is the snow that I mentioned.

Next is the baby shower. My mom planned one for us and it was mostly family and card club and a few friends. We had it at Mount Olive and just hung out, talked, and ate. It wasn't anything too formal. There were no games played, which is just fine by me. Sunday night we got a chance to hang out with Elsa and Jill and just relax. Monday, mom took off work and so it was running around with her before we had to catch our flight. We headed out to Best Buy to get her laptop all hooked up wirelessly. We also headed to Wal-Mart, so I could get some Brewer's clothes for peanut, since here we just have Astros stuff. It was a good time. Jana came with us and we ended up eating lunch at Fuddruckers and then we headed back to my parent's, so Chad could hook mom up with her new internet connections.

The wienerhead part comes in from Chad. So being home, meant we got to see both Ben and Kate. And all of you who have ever spent time with Ben will agree that he is a ham. I bet that he will end up being the class clown. He is always performing for whatever audience will watch him. Chad started calling him wienerhead just for the fun of it, but then it just kind of was funny, because of all the things that he does. It orignated from some of the guys on the baseball team. That is what they say when they get mad at another player on the team and so one of the kids has been using it a lot and so it has crept into Chad's vocabulary. You can check out the picture of Ben above.

Last but not least was San Antonio. We headed there on Tuesday night and got back today, Thursday. It took us about 3 and a half hours to get there. We spent the majority of Wednesday down at the Riverwalk and the rest of downtown. We didn't head to the Alamo, since both of us have been there before. We rode the trolley, went to the Market Square, walked along the riverwalk and just enjoyed the day. I will have to say that it was a beautiful day. I even got sunburned as we were eating lunch outside. We stayed on the Riverwalk, but it was a little bit aways from right downtown. It was a lot of walking, but it was nice to not have a plan and just be enjoying our break. We got home today and did a little cleaning. We then headed to target to spend our gift cards. We got lots of stuff and had some fun shopping. Tomorrow is church, grocery shopping and awaiting our visitors. Chad's parents, and three youngest siblings are on their way down here now and will be arriving later in the day tomorrow.

If anyone has been trying to call us, mom, our phone has been acting up and just call the cell phones. It has been really weird, so don't freak, we are fine, but it is the phone line. Well I better get going, I have some laundry to finish and some sleep to get. I hope that everyone has a happy easter and if you are starting your break this week have a good one.

Not Much New

Well there hasn't been that much going on this past week. Maybe I should say that it hasn't been that exciting of a week. Well I left you with playing baseball on Thursday. Well we never made it to baseball. I went to school for 8th hour and I was told by Rita, the secretary, that Chad was not feeling well and was in the clinic laying down. I went back to see what was going on and he said that he had not been feeling well all day. So after school, we went home and Chad slept for a good 5 hours. He wasn't feeling a whole lot better on Friday, so he stayed home from school. I had to work and then babysit for Isaac. By the time I got home on Friday he was feeling better and so we just relaxed on Friday night. We got some food and a movie.

Saturday we were back to our normal selves and Chad had to be at school at 8am to help with Market Day. He then had to have a kid make up a test, but he was at least home by 11:30. We then were off for the day. We went a few places, like Best Buy (Chad got a new video game) and then a few other places. Chad actually got down to work on Saturday night and graded papers that needed to get done, so he wouldn't have to do it on Sunday. The rest of the week has been just normal things; work, baseball, athletic period, and waiting for Spring Break. We did head out and celebrate St. Patrick's Day for a little while. We met some people at Molly's, an Irish Pub, and hung out for about an hour and a half. It was crowded, but not unbearable crowded. Tonight was me trying to get some laundry done so I would have clothes to wear this weekend and now I am waiting for Chad to get back from his baseball game. They played a doubleheader in Navasota. He should be home by 10:45. We can't wait to go home tomorrow and hang out for a few days. Then we are heading to San Antonio for a couple of days, just to take a little side trip during break. Chad's parents and some of the kids are coming on Friday. so we will have visitors for a few days. I hope that everyone enjoys their break, if it is this week. Many of you we will see you on Sunday, but for those who we won't, I hope that you have a Happy Easter.

Nice Weather and Baseball

Well another week has passed and I am again trying to figure out where all the time has gone. I shouldn't be complaining that the time goes fast, but there are some days where I just need to stop and try to remember what I did the day before. I'll chalk that one up to mom and her forgetfulness. I left you last Thursday with the doctor and people are still making jokes about the bigger kid we have. I am not allowed to call it the "fat kid" because it offends it's grandma Heffelfinger. Friday was work, which is three one year olds and then it was straight to babysitting for a 6 month old. I had Isaac after school on Friday. We just hung out at the Keiper's house and Chad met us there. Paul got home around 8:30 and then the three of us just hung out and talked about school and sports. Christa finally made it home by about 10pm.

Saturday was another day of baseball for Chad. He was up and at school by 6:45am. He played at 10am and then again at 1:15, in Cleveland, which is about an hour and a half away. The 1:15 game was a surprise, because they weren't suppose to play until 4pm. So he got home at about 5:30, which was a lot earlier than thought. We headed out for some dinner and then for the fun of the evening was grocery shopping.

This week has just gone by and it seems like I sometimes forget what day it is. It has been work and baseball. I am just happy that the weather has been nice and so I am not sitting watching baseball freezing. Baseball was on Tuesday and then again today. I had Isaac again on Tuesday and we watched some softball and baseball. Tuesday was not a good game. They ended up losing 14-2, the team was a very well coached team and had some good talent on it. I had the luxury of sitting next to some parents who I no longer wonder why their children have the attitudes they do. I'll just sum it up, that as soon as their sons were taken out of the game, they all left. So then I had the luxury of sitting by some girls from Tomball High School, who one is the girlfriend of one of the players. I'll sum that one up by saying, I think my IQ went down 10 points for having to listen to them talk. Today's game is at 4:30, so that might mean will be home before 8pm.

This weekend is actually a weekend where there isn't too much going on. No baseball tournaments. Chad does have to be at school on Saturday morning for Market Day Delivery, but that is only for about 2 hours. I think that it will just a be a weekend for catching up on sleep for Chad and trying to get school work done before Spring Break.

We are looking forward to the short trip home, it will be a nice change of scenery for 2 days. We have also been thinking about maybe taking a road trip during the week over to San Antonio. We will see how the weather is and how much stuff we have to get done around here.

We Let Our Kid Be The Fat Kid

The kid isn't even born yet, and it already has been labeled the fat kid. So I went for a follow-up ultrasound with the long wait doctor. The good news is that I didn't have to go downtown and I didn't have to wait for 2.5 hours. I waited for only about 5 minutes. So here it goes. Note: Chad didn't go with me, because he is missing school today and tomorrow because of baseball, so I exempted him from going.

The doctor was in a much better mood than last time, she asked how I was doing and how things were going. I told her good. So she was about to get started and she made the comment of, "Wow, you are a lot bigger than the last time I saw you, what have you been eating?". In my mind I was thinking, well you saw me 5 weeks ago, of course I'm bigger. So I told her that actually in the last few weeks my appetite has gone down. So she did her magic and the cysts that were there, are now gone and the baby is all nice and healthy. She again asked if I knew what I was having and I responded with "a baby". She actually laughed and then made a joke about carrying a kangaroo in that pouch. So she was finished taking all the measurements and asked if I had any questions. So I proceeded to ask her about the decreased appetite. She told me that it is because with the baby growing it puts pressure on the stomach and so I feel full faster. Makes sesnse to me and I would have been fine with that answer. She continues on, to let me know that this isn't going to harm the baby at all, because it is already 2 lbs. 11 oz. So at this point I am laughing to myself and wish Chad was there to hear that. So she showed me the graph of "normal" growth and our kid was on the upswing of the graph. So once I finally got to the car, I was able to have a good laugh to myself.

After the appointment, I ran by school, to take care of a few things. Suzanne, the Spanish teacher, was in the office and I was talking to her and had to tell her, how we have a fat kid. So we all had a few laughs and I went home. Suzanne, not being able to keep the fat kid jokes away, yells down the hall to Chad after school about having the "fat kid". Chad has no idea what she is talking about and so when I picked him up, we had a good laugh about it. So even before your kid is born, it is already labeled.

If the baby keeps growing at the rate it is, that means it could come a little early. I go to my regular doctor this morning and I'm sure that he will have a good laugh with me too. So don't think that you kid isn't already being labeled, even in the womb.

Basketball is Truly Over

Well it can be said the whole season is over for the Concordia Lutheran Crusaders. The varsity made it to the semi-finals of state and lost that game. That was on Friday, so the season is now officially over. That means that all we have left is the awards banquet tomorrow night. The girls had a good run, but just couldn't finish it. That means that now we can really focus on baseball. That meant that Saturday was a tournament at school. Chad was there at 7:30 and got the first game in, they didn't even play, and then it was done. It has been raining for the last few days, so everything was just sopping wet. So we will see how long baseball season even lasts, with all these rainouts they have had, they could be playing until June and the school year is over in May. It is suppose to start being nice and so hopefully in the next few weeks before spring break, they can get in all the games they are suppose to.

Not too much else this past week. I did get to babysit Isaac for a while on Thursday, but with the rain, the match was cancelled and they just had practice. This week, I get to spend time with him on Friday after school.

This week we go for another ultrasound on Wednesday, but it is with the doctor that made us wait for 2 hours. At least this time, it is at Willowbrook (which is where I normally go) and we don't have to drive downtown to the Texas Women's Hospital. I am hoping that the wait will not be 2 hours again either.

Other basketball news from Minnesota. Both of Chad and mine teams from last year went to the state tournament this weekend. The TLO boys lost on Friday and then again on Saturday, so that meant that they were out. The CLS girls won on Friday, but none of the Minnesota people knew how they did on Saturday. We were pretty excited to hear that they got there and that they are all doing good.

We are looking forward to coming home in just about three weeks. The time will hopefully go by fast. I'm sure that it will, it seems like the weeks just fly by. Even now without basketball it seems like Friday gets here in no time, but then so does Monday.

Well I hope that everyone is good. I hope that mom and dad enjoyed their weekend in Florida. From the looks of things on Sportscenter, it didn't look all that sunny, so I know that mom will have been disappointed. Joel and Adam Happy Birthday this week. Alan and Tracie Happy Anniversary this week.

A Warm President's Day

Well, we once again have this day off, but it seems that we are usually trying to get more stuff done than any other day of the week. It is suppose to be about 80 today, so it is nice to be doing these errands without having to put on our snowboots and snowpants. A day off from work, but it still means that there is baseball practice. Chad has practice this afternoon at 4, it is a day off, why isn't it at about 2? I don't make the rules, I just have to follow them. This past week was a lot of spring cleaning for me, I did a lot of throwing away and condensing of our stuff. Chad was worried that I was going to throw away something that we needed, you know like old boxes that held nothing, notes from a class back in school, or something of that nature. It has been nice not to have practice after school, but I am usually spending those afternoons alone. Chad seems to average getting home at about 7 on practice nights and about 9:30 on game nights. He had a game on Friday, I went and watched. They seem that the team could be half way decent.

Now that basketball is over, I get to watch Isaac Kieper on days that Christa has away matches for tennis. She has some of the students watch him during practice, but on match days, that can get a little long. So this Thursday I get to have company in the afternoon, granted it is a 5 month old. We debated all week about going up to Dallas for the weekend, but in the end with baseball starting and everything else, we thought that we would hang around here. We did go and register at Target for baby stuff. Mom Heffelfinger is flying us home on March 19th-21st, to have a shower for us. She was debating coming down here this weekend, but then decided that she could bring us home. So we are looking forward to that. Even though it is only for a couple of days, it is the beginning of our Spring Break, so it is a little time away.

Today is going to bring laundry and grocery shopping, so I better get to those things. Chad has papers to correct and days to plan for the week. Of course, we both left these things until the last minute. It seems to make our lives more exciting.

Ben's One Today

I can hardly believe that Ben is one today. They were having a party and since we are 1200 miles away, we didn't get to go. I am hoping that they got some good pictures of him and his cake. I have a feeling that he will not hold back when it comes to eating his cake. Well when Amy or Joel read this, they can make sure they give him a kiss from his Aunt Erin and Uncle Chad.

This week has been hectic and basketball is over. We played our last game on Tuesday, we won by 10 or so. Chad is still going with baseball, but it has still been in the parking lot because of the wet field. We thought that the rain was going to be done, but low and behold there were thunderstorms last night and heavy rain this morning. It has now stopped and the sun is trying to peak out. They are suppose to have a scrimmage on Tuesday, but with this rain today, we will see how that goes. Varsity basketball is going to be on their way to Waco on Friday to play in a regional game and then if they win that, they will be on their way to Arlington the next weekend for State. They had a pretty easy game yesterday against a team from Corpus Christi, they won by 25.

We then headed down to Minute Maid after the girls' game yesterday to watch Baylor vs. Tennessee and then A&M vs. Rice last night. Pete went with us and it ended up being a really nice night. They had the roof open and it was just about 70 degrees. I talked to Amy while I was there and Joel was jealous of us watching baseball outside last night. Not too much else going on. Today we have been doing laundry and trying to clean up a bit. Chad has no school on Friday and Monday and I have the day off on Monday, so we are still thinking about going up to Dallas on Saturday and coming back on Monday. We have to talk to Adam and his aunt and uncle to see what everyone is up to. If not, we are going to try to get up there sometime in the next couple of months. I know that we are planning on going up there in May for his cousin's confirmation, but we are hoping to get there before that.

Chad is hoping to actually get in a game this week, even if it isn't until Friday. I think that the boys and the coaches are ready for this rain to be done, so they can actually start the season. Hope that everyone had fun at Ben's party and he wasn't on too much of a sugar high for the rest of the night.

Just One More Game

Well tonight is it, the last basketball game for the season. We are playing Houston Christian, who we have already played twice. The first time we played them we won by twelve and last week when we played them, we went into overtime, but won by seven. The season has been long and it will be nice to be done with, but I will still keep going to athletic period twice a week to take the basketball girls who don't play a spring sport. It will be nice to have my evenings back, but they will mostly be spent by myself now that baseball has started.

Last week was one of the weeks that I just couldn't wait for it to be over. We had practice and games, but nothing seemed to be going my way. On Thursday our practice got cancelled without me cancelling it. It was cancelled because we were letting one of the grade schools host a tournament at school and their games started on Thursday and no one told us this until Thursday morning, so let's just say I was a little upset considering we were playing North who we are pretty evenly matched against, but lost to by 5 last time we played them. Chad had practice all week, most of it in the parking lot on the cement, because the field is pretty much a swamp right now. They are suppose to have a scrimmage on Friday, but the way the rain is coming and suppose to come for the rest of the week, it looks like that might have to be cancelled.

Not too much going on this weekend. We are thinking about going down to Minute Maid on Saturday to watch some college baseball, there are 6 teams playing all weekend. Three games each day and it is like 12 dollars to see all three games, so we were thinking about doing that this weekend. It is also the Astros Fan Fair at Minute Maid, so we would be able to go to that too. Other than that, not too much. We have been thinking about heading up to Dallas maybe the following weekend, with having no school on the 21st, but it all depends on baseball.

Things are pretty much the same down here. We are looking forward to the visitors we will have coming in the Spring. We are also looking forward to all this rain stopping and actually being spring down here. I hope that you guys in the north are keeping warm and that most the snow has melted away.

A trip to the cold (and snowy) north

Last week here in Tomball, it was about 78 degeres on Wednesday, that would be the day I decided to get on a plane and fly to Milwaukee, where when I landed it was 16 and snowing. Why some people ask, let's just say I'm a little weird and sort of missed the snow. Now the five days that I was there, with the foot and a half of snow, were more than enough. This was a Christmas present, because I had off from work and we didn't have a basketball game. We had been planning on going down to CIT to watch the girls' game, but then my mom got off from work on Friday and the plans just spiraled.
Thursday- Mom worked a half day, picked her up at noon and headed to Chicago. We picked Alan up from the store and got to spend a few hours with him and Kate and home. We were much entertained by Kate who is now walking and speaking perfect jibberish. Before Kate had to have her bath and go to bed, we decided it was a good time to leave and head to Schaumburg for a trip to IKEA. Mom needs track lighting. We went to grab some dinner and to our hotel for the night. Now we just needed the room for one night, so we weren't looking for anything too fancy, so The Red Roof in will do. We got our key, started putting our stuff down and that is when mom discovers, we had an extra animal in our room. I furry mouse, just sitting on top of the tv. So we went to change rooms, they very much understood. We were about to get in the car and mom realizes she forgot her purse in the mouse room. Meanwhile I am talking to Chad on the phone in the parking lot, while she is running back into the room to get her purse. It was a cold night and I was already laughing about it, but it gets better. Just as mom is coming out of the room, the person who is staying next door comes out and I would say they were probably ready to go out to some bar, but it must have been a cross-dressing bar, because here comes this tall man in ladies' clothes. I mean thigh high nylons and a mini-skirt. Now remeber we are in Arlington Heights, I didn't even realize there were bars like that there. We got into our new room and everything was fine, we slept and got up and were ready to go for Friday.

Friday- took us to Woodfield for an H & M shopping trip, which ended up being not that successful. We then headed to Woodstock with a stop at the Huntley outlet mall before. We did find some really good stuff for baby at the Gap Outlet. We went to Woodstock to relieve Grandma and Grandpa Chapman of babysitting and waited for Joel to get home. Joel and mom left and I waited for Amy and then we went to CIT at River Forest. There were a few people there, but the fans weren't too rowdy. We went for some food after the game and Amy, Julie, and I left Jana and Steph at about 10:30 to drive home to Milwaukee.

Saturday- we headed Alex's basketball game where, her team won 32-6. We were entertained by Ben who was enjoying the ring pop and Amy let him have a few licks from. Amy and I headed to the mall, so I could get my Brewers' jersey. The salesman, was thinking I knew nothing about baseball and was trying to get me to buy jerseys of guys who didn't play for us. I think when I told him who they even played for now, he got the idea. Saturday night we just ordered pizza and watched a movie, okay I fell asleep during the movie.

Sunday- was church and then just spend some time at home before I had to leave. Mom made lunch and we actually sat at the table to eat it. Amy and Joel left at about the same time I was leaving and then I headed to the airport to come home. It was a awesome visit and I had a lot of fun, but it is always nice to come home. We think the next time we will be home, might not be until next Christmas, so it was very nice to spend some time there and just do some relaxing.

Things here are good, basketball is just one more week. I am looking forward to it being over, but I know that I will miss it. Some of the girls asked me if I was going to miss it, and it is yes and no, but I just look at it that we can start preparing for next year. Tonight is an away game and the the next two are home. Baseball is going now for Chad, but it has been raining the last few days, so they haven't been having too many practices outside. Their first game is on the 11th, so it is suppose to stop raining by the end to the week and then start warming up again. Well I hope that everyone is doing well and that you are keeping warm whevever you are.

Where Did The Week Go?

That is often the question I ask myself on any given Saturday. This week has just seemed to slip out from under us. I guess it doesn't help when you spend 2 and a half hours waiting at the doctor's office for them to see you for 12 minutes. We had to go down to the Texas' Women's Hospital to have a Level 2 ultrasound. At the first one, the tech couldn't see everything she needed. So our appointment was at 2:15. Chad left school at 1pm, because it was down by Reliant Stadium. It took us about 55 minutes to get there. We filled out all our paper work and sat down. We sat for about an hour and 15 minutes, when they called us back, not to see the doctor, but to another waiting room where we sat for another hour and a half. The doctor finally saw us. I am hoping that she was just tired from all the patients, because her bedside manners were horrible. She wasn't very nice and then she asked me snottily, "how old are you?". I thinkher, like many people are shocked when I say 25. She then asked me why I was there, and I simply told her that I was told by my other doctor that I should go. Well after the 12 minutes, everything was fine and the baby is healthy and is growing at the rate is should. She was also very shocked when she asked if we knew what we were having and when saying no, we told her we didn't want to know. I chalk it up to the fact that most people now want to know. So we left the hospital at 5:10 in the midst of Houston traffic and I had to be at a scrimmage at 6:15. I did't make it on time, I got there about 6:45. That was how our Thursday was spent.

The rest of the week just sort of slipped by with basketball, Chad being out on the baseball field each day trying to get it ready for practice on Monday, two soccer games on Tuesday, and Chad trying to get his grades done for progress reports. This weekend is a quiet one, I think we might actually attempt to go to a movie tonight. We will see how much work Chad gets done this afternoon. Next week is a short week for me, only having to work Monday and Wednesday, a game on Tuesday, and then leaving Wednesday for Wisconsin. Chad's baseball practice starts on Monday. The nice thing with baseball is that you don't have to share your field, so he always has practice right after school. Until basketball is over, there might be a few conflicts with our schedule, but after basketball is over, it will just be him having practice after school. We have just 4 games left. Two home and two away. The same two teams, twice more. It has been a long season, but a good one overall.

Well I should go see how much more work Chad has to do and maybe find a movie that we want to see.

A Day Off Or Is It??

Well, we actually have teh day off from having to go to work, but I think both Chad and I have been doing more than in any work day. Chad had to be up early this morning to do some work on the field to get it ready for the dirt that was being spread this afternoon. So he was up and out of the house at about 7am, got back at noon, and has to go back for the spring sports meeting this evening. I on the other hand, have not been out of the house, but have been trying to clean it from top to bottom and I mean really clean. I have been so occupied with basketball, that it is lucky that the laundry gets done each week.

Speaking of basketball; it has been going. We have until Feb. 8th and this week we have no games. Tuesday is an off night because the team that we are playing does not have a JV team and the team we were suppose to play on Friday cancelled the game. We did play on Friday, but I wouldn't call it an official game. We lost by 9, but we had no official refs. Of course the two guys from school who could ref (Chad and Phil) were gone in Waco for their baseball coaches' clinic. So we had a dad from north and Kim (a teacher from school) ref. As basketball is starting to wind down, Chad is just starting the baseball season. Practice starts next Monday and I think their first game is on Feb. 11th. It seems odd that the season is starting in January, but with the weather we have here, it makes sense.

We have been keeping busy with all the activities going on and we know that they just get more as the weather gets even nicer and as the school year keeps going. We are looking forward to our visitors coming in the spring and then more in the summer. I am looking forward to my trip home next week and the chance to relax and spend some time at home, in the cold.

and now he has lost them all with cousin Alex